Magnetic Resonance Imaging Or Spectroscopy Patents (Class 600/410)
  • Patent number: 10702156
    Abstract: The present disclosure discusses systems and methods for identifying biomarkers that can help with the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choices of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Diffusion based magnetic resonance imaging can often fail for patients with a neurodegenerative disease because parameters fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, and radial diffusivity are based on simple models that can fail in the presence of neurodegeneration, such as demyelination. The present disclosure discusses systems and methods that enhance dMRI images and enable tractography to be performed on images of a damaged nervous system. The damaged tracks identified by the present system can be used as a biomarker for the assessment of patients. In some implementations, the biomarkers are converted into clinical scales that can be used to compare patients to one another or over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mint Labs Inc.
    Inventors: Vesna Prchkovska, Paulo Reis Rodrigues, Marc Ramos Bruach, Pablo Villoslada, Álvaro Abella de Bascarán
  • Patent number: 10706592
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the present application discloses systems and methods for cardiac MRI that allow for continuous un-interrupted acquisition without any ECG/cardiac gating or synchronization that achieves the required image contrast for imaging perfusion defects. The invention also teaches an accelerated image reconstruction technique that is tailored to the data acquisition scheme and minimizes or eliminates dark-rim image artifacts. The invention further enables concurrent imaging of perfusion and myocardial wall motion (cardiac function), which can eliminate the need for separate assessment of cardiac function (hence shortening exam time), and/or provide complementary diagnostic information in CAD patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
    Inventors: Behzad Sharif, Debiao Li, Daniel S. Berman, C. Noel Bairey Merz
  • Patent number: 10694963
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the current invention concerns a computer-implemented method, system and computer program product for identifying a zone in a blood vessel system with a risk level for stasis, comprising the following steps: a) providing an angiogram of a blood vessel system, said angiogram comprising a time series of images of said blood vessel system, at least some of said images showing a contrast agent present in said blood vessel system; b) identifying at least one zone within said blood vessel system on a multitude of images of said time series; c) characterising variations in greyscale intensity in said zone across at least part of said time series of images; d) characterising an outflow of said contrast agent from said zone on the basis of said variations in intensity in said zone; and e) providing a local risk level for stasis in said zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Glenn Van Langenhove
  • Patent number: 10685579
    Abstract: A learning system includes an output unit that outputs a first problem and a display message prompting a user to take a break, an acquisition unit that acquires an answer to the first problem from the user, an electroencephalogram measurement unit that measures an electroencephalogram of the user, and a control unit. The control unit determines whether first motivation is present on the basis of a first event-related potential included in the electroencephalogram and starting from a timing at which the first problem is output, determines whether second motivation of the user is present on the basis of a second event-related potential included in the electroencephalogram and starting from a timing at which the answer is acquired, and instructs the output unit to output a display message prompting the user to take a break if the first motivation is not present and the second motivations is not present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Minoda, Koji Morikawa
  • Patent number: 10685437
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for identification and quantification of a number of different materials within an object using one or more multi-energy CT imaging devices and the image data sets produced therefrom. Identification and quantification of different materials is achieved by using the following three properties: solve only for sparse solutions; separate the soft tissue problem from the dense material problem; and use a combinatorial approach to allow for simple application of different constraints to different combinations of materials. Also disclosed are one or more computer program products, computer systems or computer implemented methods for the identification of multiple materials within an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MARS BIOIMAGING LIMITED
    Inventors: Anthony Philip Howard Butler, Christopher James Bateman, Philip Howard Butler, Peter Francis Renaud
  • Patent number: 10672125
    Abstract: A method and a system for supporting medical personnel in a procedure on a patient are provided. Medical image data of the patient and of a medical object is continuously captured. Using the image data, a digital patient model is generated and continuously updated, and a position of the medical object is continuously tracked. Through automatic processing of the image data, a situational and/or spatial context in which the medical object is situated is determined. Based on the determined context from the patient model, speech data that describes at least part of the determined context in speech form is automatically generated. The speech data is then output to the medical personnel by an acoustic speech output and/or as text on a display surface. Thus, the medical personnel may be informed particularly reliably and with little distraction about the respective current situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Blendinger
  • Patent number: 10663552
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a dividing unit, an acquiring unit, and a combining unit. The dividing unit is configured to divide an imaging region of a patient into at least two temporal or spatial ranges. Of the temporal or spatial ranges, the acquiring unit is configured to perform a data acquiring process on a first range by using a first readout sequence and to perform a data acquiring process on a second range by using a second readout sequence that is different from the first readout sequence in terms of one or both of the type of sequence and an imaging condition. The combining unit is configured to combine an image generated from data acquired by using the first readout sequence with an image generated from data acquired by using the second readout sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tokunori Kimura
  • Patent number: 10663550
    Abstract: In a method and magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for generating an approximated trace-weighted MR image of a subject, at least three diffusion-weighted MR images of the subject are created, based on different diffusion encoding directions and diffusion gradient fields with essentially equal diffusion encoding strengths. A weighting factor is determined by an optimization method based on spatial inhomogeneities of the diffusion gradient fields for each image point of the at least three diffusion-weighted MR images. Based on the weighting factors, the at least three diffusion-weighted MR images are combined to generate the approximated trace-weighted MR image. Furthermore, an ADC map is determined based on approximated trace-weighted images and the effective diffusion encoding strength. Furthermore, a trace-weighted MR image is synthesized with nominal diffusion encoding strength based on a trace-weighted image with effective diffusion encoding strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Feiweier, Marcel Dominink Nickel
  • Patent number: 10653394
    Abstract: A method and system for processing imaging data of a tissue in an individual following a change in oxygenation or blood flow in tissue, for assessing tissue function. Test images are registered with a baseline image, providing registered images. The registered images may be compared to assess variations in the change in the tissue in response to changes in oxygenation or blood flow of the tissue shown in the images. The change in oxygenation or blood flow in the tissue may be quantified and plotted in a parametric plot or displayed in a parametric map to assess whether the change in oxygenation or blood flow, corresponding to a change in signal intensity, is abnormal following a stress event or under other conditions, to assess microvascular or macrovascular function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Circle Cardiovascular Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Matthias Friedrich, Kady Fischer, Jacqueline McQuaker, Dominik Günsch, Qiao Wei, Estee Lee, Philipp Kai Barckow
  • Patent number: 10657645
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to methods for diagnosing a neurological disorder in a subject. In certain aspects, the methods described herein involve determining one or more critical areas in the brain from molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data where two groups differ and measuring MRI signal within determined critical areas in a new subject in order to assign risk or diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Ramin Parsey, Arthur Mikhno
  • Patent number: 10656226
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) apparatus for implementing an MR examination of a patient, has an MR scanner with a gradient coil arrangement and a music network having at least two communicating instrument devices, synchronized by synchronization signals sent via the music network, so as to generate a music piece that is to be emitted as an output to the patient. One of the instrument devices is the magnetic resonance scanner that, as an interface to the music network, has a synchronization unit designed to derive the synchronization signals for the music network from sequence control signals received from the control computer of the magnetic resonance scanner, at least for the gradient coil arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Rinck, Stefan Popescu
  • Patent number: 10650519
    Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to methods for diagnosing a neurological disorder in a subject. In certain aspects, the methods described herein involve determining one or more critical areas in the brain from PET data where two groups differ and measuring PET signal within determined critical areas in a new subject in order to assign risk or diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: Ramin Parsey, Arthur Mikhno
  • Patent number: 10638948
    Abstract: The present invention teaches novel methods of diagnosing and prognosing conditions associated with tissue degeneration and/or pain, including intervertebral disc degeneration, discogenic pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and articular cartilage injury. Using the inventive noninvasive imaging methods, the diagnosis and prognosis of back pain and related conditions can be quickly and accurately determined by detecting one or more biomarkers disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Dan Gazit, Debiao Li, Hyun Bae, Gadi Pelled, Zulma Gazit, Qi Liu, Wafa Tawackoli
  • Patent number: 10638944
    Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure includes generating an infrared image of tissue using a thermographic camera, analyzing the infrared images to determine blood flow characteristics of the tissue, and resecting a portion of the tissue determined to have abnormal blood flow characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Patrick Mozdzierz
  • Patent number: 10627467
    Abstract: The invention provides for a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) for acquiring magnetic resonance data (154) from an imaging zone (108). The magnetic resonance imaging system comprises: a memory (136) for storing initial pulse sequence commands (140) and machine executable instructions (160); and a processor (130) for controlling the magnetic resonance imaging system. Execution of the machine executable instructions causes the processor to receive (200) a set of selected pulse sequence parameters (142) comprising a definition of a region of interest (109) of a subject (118). The region of interest is within the imaging zone. Execution of the machine executable instructions further causes the processor to send (202) an image data request to a historical database (138). The image data request comprises the set of selected pulse sequence parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Tim Philipp Harder, Thomas Netsch
  • Patent number: 10620283
    Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonant Imaging (also called Magnetic Resonant Imaging or “MRI”) devices which are implantable, internal or insertable are provided. The disclosure describes ways to miniaturize, simplify, calibrate, cool, and increase the utility of MRI systems for structural investigative purposes, and for biological investigation and potential treatment. It teaches use of target objects of fixed size, shape and position for calibration and comparison to obtain accurate images. It further teaches cooling of objects under test by electrically conductive leads or electrically isolated leads; varying the magnetic field of the probe to move chemicals or ferrous metallic objects within the subject. The invention also teaches comparison of objects using review of the frequency components of a received signal rather than by a pictorial representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Hyman D. Chantz
  • Patent number: 10620286
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry and processing circuitry. The sequence control circuitry executes a first pulse sequence and a second pulse sequence, the first pulse sequence including a first spoiler pulse serving as a dephasing gradient pulse of a first amount, the second pulse sequence including a second spoiler pulse serving as a dephasing gradient pulse of a second amount being different from the first amount or the second pulse sequence not including a spoiler pulse serving as a dephasing gradient pulse. The processing circuitry performs a subtraction operation between a first data obtained from the first pulse sequence and a second data obtained from the second pulse sequence, thereby generating an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Xiangzhi Zhou, Aiming Lu
  • Patent number: 10617324
    Abstract: A method of confirming the location of a target tissue within a patient using a navigation system is provided. The navigation system displays images from a pre-acquired image dataset and provides location information of a medical device within a patient in relation to a patient tracking device affixed to the patient. The method includes determining an initial location of the target tissue, navigating a steerable catheter through the airway of the patient to a position proximate the initial location, tracking the location of the steerable catheter in the airway using the navigation system, generating information regarding the presence of the target tissue using a tissue sensing device inserted into the steerable catheter, and determining a confirmed location of the target tissue in relation to the patient tracking device using the generated information regarding the presence of the target tissue and the tracked location of the steerable catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Veran Medical Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Mark Hunter, Troy L. Holsing
  • Patent number: 10605885
    Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a method for determining phase offsets in a complex-valued image in Magnetic Resonance Imaging, including the steps of, immobilising an object and acquiring a first image thereof at a predetermined first echo time and a second image thereof at a predetermined second echo time, the first and second images being separated into first and second magnitude images and first and second phase images, respectively, wherein a ratio between said first echo time and said second echo time is chosen to be n:(n+1), n being a positive integer; generating, pixel by pixel, a phase evolution image; and subtracting, pixel by pixel, an n-fold of the phase evolution image from the first phase image to obtain a phase offset image containing said phase offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MEDIZINISCHE UNIVERSITÄT WIEN
    Inventors: Simon Robinson, Korbinian Eckstein
  • Patent number: 10595725
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes a collection unit and a generation unit. The collection unit collects data of an imaging area over a plurality of time phases within a certain respiratory cycle after applying a labeling pulse to a labeling area in which cerebrospinal fluid flows under a task of respiration. The generation unit generates images of a plurality of time phases depicting the cerebrospinal fluid by using the collected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Yuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10598749
    Abstract: In an RF spoiling method and apparatus for rapid spatial saturation in magnetic resonance imaging, a first RF pulse of a spatial saturation module is applied, and a first set of RF pulses of an imaging sequence is applied after the first RF pulse. A phase of an RF pulse, closest to the first RF pulse in the time dimension, in the first set of RF pulses is not coherent with a phase of the first RF pulse. This makes a phase cycle of the spatial saturation module and a phase cycle of the imaging sequence independent of each other, so the coherence of residual signals in the transverse plane can be destroyed more effectively, thereby reducing artefacts, and improving imaging quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Kun Zhou, Fang Dong, Nan Xiao
  • Patent number: 10586354
    Abstract: An imaging method includes a step of radiating a wave to a target object, a step of receiving a scattered wave as a result of the wave being scattered at the target object, and a step of reconstructing an image regarding internal information of the target object on the basis of scattered wave data indicating the scattered wave. In the step of reconstructing the image, a reconstruction function is derived by solving a partial differential equation by using the scattered wave data and an analysis model indicating a shape, and the image regarding the internal information of the target object is reconstructed by using the reconstruction function. Here, the partial differential equation is an equation satisfied by the reconstruction function for reconstructing the image regarding the internal information of the target object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignees: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KOBE UNIVERSITY, INTEGRAL GEOMETRY SCIENCE INC.
    Inventors: Kenjiro Kimura, Noriaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10568596
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a table and an imaging system and method for PET/CT imaging. The table may include a base, a bracket, and a plate movable relative to the bracket. The bracket may include a releasing position, a CT scan position, and a PET scan position. The table may extend the scan range of the CT scanner without changing the size of the imaging system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiping Liu, Shitao Liu
  • Patent number: 10571539
    Abstract: Using a plurality of distinct behavioral tasks conducted in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner, fMRI data acquired from one or more subjects performing working memory tasks can be used for diagnosing psychiatrics and neurological disorders. A classification algorithm can be used to determine a classification model, tune the model, and apply the model. An output indicative of a subject's clinical condition can then be provided and used to diagnose new cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Northwestern University
    Inventors: Reuven Hammer, James R. Booth, Reza Borhani, Aggelos K. Katsaggelos
  • Patent number: 10568535
    Abstract: A surgical guidance system has two cameras to provide stereo image stream of a surgical field; and a stereo viewer. The system has a 3D surface extraction module that generates a first 3D model of the surgical field from the stereo image streams; a registration module for co-registering annotating data with the first 3D model; and a stereo image enhancer for graphically overlaying at least part of the annotating data onto the stereo image stream to form an enhanced stereo image stream for display, where the enhanced stereo stream enhances a surgeon's perception of the surgical field. The registration module has an alignment refiner to adjust registration of the annotating data with the 3D model based upon matching of features within the 3D model and features within the annotating data; and in an embodiment, a deformation modeler to deform the annotating data based upon a determined tissue deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: David W. Roberts, Keith D. Paulsen, Alexander Hartov, Songbai Ji, Xiaoyao Fan
  • Patent number: 10551454
    Abstract: A method for operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that includes: accessing data indicating a first region for imaging a portion of a subject, the portion being placed in a main magnet of the MRI system and the main magnet generating a magnetic field; selecting, from a group of available shimming coils, a first subset of shimming coils arranged and configured such that, when the shimming coils in the first subset are driven, a homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region is increased; and driving the shimming coils in the selected first subset of shimming coils without driving other shimming coils in the group of available shimming coils such that the homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region increases relative to the homogeneity of the magnetic field at the first region when the shimming coils of the selected first subset are not driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Synaptive Medical (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Tyler Harris, Philip J. Beatty, Alexander Gyles Panther, Jeff Alan Stainsby, David Mark Deschenes
  • Patent number: 10548494
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a personalized cardiac model, including steps of (i) computing a velocity time profile of a blood flow across a selected area of the heart or the aorta during at least one cardiac cycle, using data acquired with a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device; (ii) performing a segmentation of the velocity time profile so as to identify cardiac phases according to a predefined generic cardiac model; and (iii) computing normalized time location and/or duration of the cardiac phases within cardiac cycles so as to define a personalized cardiac model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: UNIVERSITE DE LORRAINE, CENTRE HOSPITALIER REGIONAL DE NANCY
    Inventors: Christophe Meyer, Pierre-André Vuissoz, Laurent Bonnemains, Jacques Felblinger
  • Patent number: 10542957
    Abstract: According to embodiment, an x-ray computed tomography apparatus includes a gantry apparatus. The gantry apparatus includes a housing, at least one light projector, and a transmission film. The housing has a bore through which an object is inserted, and a scan mechanism for x-ray CT imaging. The light projector is provided inside the housing and configured to emit a visible light beam. The transmission film is attached to an inner wall of the housing that faces the bore, and allows the visible light beam emitted from the light projector to pass through. The transmission film has a color in a wavelength band that allows the visible light beam to pass through, and reduces the visibility of the inside of the housing from the outside, where the wavelength band excludes a wavelength of a color of the visible light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Sawanobori, Yanji Sun
  • Patent number: 10543045
    Abstract: A medical navigation system for displaying a three dimensional (3D) surface video of a target is provided. The medical navigation system comprises a 3D imaging device, a camera, a display, and a controller electrically coupled to the 3D imaging device, the camera, and the display. The controller has a processor coupled to a memory. The controller is configured to perform calibration of input devices; acquire 3D depth data of the target from a signal generated by the 3D imaging device; construct a 3D surface contour of the target based on the 3D depth data; acquire a video stream of the target from a signal generated by the camera; generate a 3D surface video based on the 3D surface contour and the video stream; and display the 3D surface video on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SYNAPTIVE MEDICAL (BARBADOS) INC.
    Inventors: Gal Sela, Sean Jy-Shyang Chen, Siu Wai Jacky Mak, Kamyar Abhari, Joshua Lee Richmond
  • Patent number: 10539638
    Abstract: In a method for the optimization of multiple scan protocols for at least one magnetic resonance examination is performed by a magnetic resonance apparatus, patient data for at least one patient are recorded that includes the selection of two or more different measurements, each including at least one scan protocol, which includes at least one magnetic resonance examination. An optimized sequence of the multiple scan protocols for the two or more different measurements for the at least one magnetic resonance examination is determined by a protocol optimization computer. The optimized sequence of the multiple protocols is presented at a display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventor: David Grodzki
  • Patent number: 10531812
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system to acquire images of a subject having inconsistencies in a cardiac cycle of the subject. The process includes receiving an identification of a predetermined point in a cardiac cycle of the subject and, thereupon, performing a saturation module configured to dephase magnetization within a region of interest (ROI) from before the predetermined point. The process also includes performing an inversion module configured to invert spins within the ROI and acquiring medical imaging data from the subject. A delay is inserted between the performance of the saturation module and the performance of the inversion module, wherein a duration of the delay is configured, with the saturation module, to control evidence in the medical imaging data of inconsistencies in the cardiac cycle of the subject by controlling a magnetization history of tissue in the ROI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastian Weingärtner, Mehmet Akçakaya, Warren J. Manning, Reza Nezafat
  • Patent number: 10534060
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, method and/or computer readable medium is configured to effect improved parallel MR imaging with reduced unfolding artifacts by using either or both of: (a) an unfolded “intermediate” diagnostic image to create a more accurate mask for use in further processing raw image data for final unfolded diagnostic images; and/or (b) an extension of coil sensitivity maps by replication (rather than curve-fitted extrapolation) for use in final unfolding of diagnostic images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wayne R. Dannels
  • Patent number: 10534054
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes sequence control circuitry. The sequence control circuitry applies an MT (Magnetization Transfer) pulse over a plurality of slices under a gradient magnetic field and configured to apply, for each of the plurality of slices to which the MT pulse is applied, an RF pulse having a frequency corresponding to a resonance frequency of certain protons in each of the plurality of slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsue Miyazaki, Xiangzhi Zhou
  • Patent number: 10524689
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides, in part, methods for high spatiotemporal resolution self-sorted 4D MRI. These methods can be used to improve resolution of abdominothoracic MRI during breathing by facilitating the sorting of information corresponding to individual MRI pulse sequences according to phase within the respiratory cycle. An image of the anatomy for a particular phase within the respiratory cycle is then determined using both information corresponding to the particular phase and high-frequency MR imaging information corresponding to other respiratory phases. This method provides an increase in image resolution by sharing information at high frequencies in k-space, which may be less thoroughly sampled during any particular respiratory phase, between different respiratory phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Ergys Subashi, Jing Cai
  • Patent number: 10517504
    Abstract: A system and method for automating an appropriate voxel prescription in a uniquely definable region of interest (ROI) in a tissue of a patient is provided, such as for purpose of conducting magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the ROI. The dimensions and coordinates of a single three dimensional rectilinear volume (voxel) within a single region of interest (ROI) are automatically identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Nocimed, Inc.
    Inventors: John Patrick Claude, James C. Peacock, III, Paul H. Kane
  • Patent number: 10517509
    Abstract: A method for the assessment of the lung parenchyma in a human or an animal is indicated using a series of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the lung parenchyma acquired at different breathing positions in the same human or animal. The method comprises at least the steps of a.) estimating a change of the lung volume VL between the different breathing positions, b.) determining a signal intensity SI({right arrow over (x)}i) in at least one same region or position {right arrow over (x)}i of the lung parenchyma for each of the MR images, and c.) determining at least one respiratory index ?({right arrow over (x)}i) according to the formula ? ? ( x ? i ) = - d ? ( log ? ( SI ? ( x ? i ) ) ) d ? ( log ? ( V L ) ) . ( Fig .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITATSSPITAL BASEL
    Inventors: Oliver Bieri, Orso Andrea Pusterla, Grzegorz Bauman
  • Patent number: 10509088
    Abstract: An MR apparatus 100 performs a sequence for acquiring an echo train from a subject. The MR apparatus 100 comprises upper-limit-value determining unit for determining an upper limit value etl_max for the echo train length based on a value X1 and a value X2, the value X1 including echo spacing ESP and a lower limit value TEz_max for a maximum echo time. The MR apparatus 100 further comprises unit for obtaining an echo train length based on the upper limit value etl_max for the echo train length and a number of views ypoint in which data acquisition is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Tomoda, Masanori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 10499830
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance system, useful for imaging a patient, comprising: (a) a magnetic resonance device (MRD) for imaging a patient, comprising an open bore, the MRD at least partially contained in an envelope comprising in its circumference at least one recess; and, (b) an MRI-safe cart made of MRI-safe material, comprising a substantially horizontal base and at least one substantially horizontal incubator above the base, the base and the incubator are interconnected by at least one pillar. At least a portion of the cart and the MRD are configured to fit together such that at least a portion of the incubator is reversibly housed within the MRD, and further at least a portion of the base is reversibly housed within at least one recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Aspect Imaging Ltd.
    Inventor: Uri Rapoport
  • Patent number: 10489874
    Abstract: A computer implemented system for steganography comprises an encoding machine for encoding secret data into a cover image to generate the steganography image, and a decoding machine for extracting the secret data from the steganography image. The encoding machine comprises a first memory, a first processor, an input module and an encoder module. The decoding machine comprises a second memory, a second processor, a receiver module, and a decoder module. The system has a comparatively lower error rate (approx. 19.5-21.5 percent) than the conventional steganography method Optimal Pixel Adjustment Procedure (OPAP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ZENSAR TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Paritosh Hemchandra Chandorkar
  • Patent number: 10488480
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating quantitative parameters of a subject from data acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. MR data acquired with an MRI system is provided, which represents a plurality of different signal evolutions acquired using different acquisition parameter settings. An initial dictionary comprising a plurality of signal templates is generated that coarsely sample acquisition parameters used when acquiring the provided MR data. The MR data is compared with the initial dictionary. The quantitative parameters associated with an entry in the initial dictionary are stored as the estimated quantitative parameters when the comparison satisfies a threshold criterion and the initial dictionary is updated when the comparison does not satisfy the threshold criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Ouri Cohen
  • Patent number: 10478122
    Abstract: A measurement method for brown adipose tissue includes a light input step of inputting near-infrared light from a light input unit into a measurement target portion, a light detection step of detecting light intensity of the near-infrared light having propagated through an interior of the measurement target portion by a light detection unit, and a calculation step of calculating an index value for a BAT amount from an oxygenated hemoglobin concentration or the like of the measurement target portion, which is acquired by near-infrared spectroscopy based on the detection result by the light detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: TOKYO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Takafumi Hamaoka, Shinsuke Nirengi, Masayuki Saito, Takeshi Yoneshiro
  • Patent number: 10467757
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for training a classifier. The method includes: acquiring an original image; determining a candidate target by segmenting the original image based on at least two segmentation models; determining a universal set of features by extracting features from the candidate target; determining a reference subset of features by selecting features from the universal set of features; and determining a classifier by performing classifier training based on the reference subset of features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jiyong Wang, Xiangjun Chen
  • Patent number: 10444148
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a material within a sample includes a light emitting unit for directing at least one light beam through the sample. A plurality of units receive the light beam that has passed through the sample and performs a spectroscopic analysis of the sample based on the received light beam. Each of the plurality of units analyze a different parameter with respect to the sample and provide a separate output signal with respect to the analysis. A processor detects the material with respect each of the provided separate output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLC
    Inventor: Solyman Ashrafi
  • Patent number: 10444315
    Abstract: At least a portion of a body (10) is placed in a main magnetic field Bo within the examination volume of a MR device. The portion of the body (10) is subject to an imaging sequence including one or more RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients to acquire imaging signals. The portion of the body (10) is subject to a navigator sequence applied at least once before, during, or after the imaging sequence. The navigator sequence includes one or more RF pulses and switched magnetic field gradients controlled to acquire navigator signals with a single-point or multi-point Dixon technique. Translation and/or rotation and/or shear data reflecting motion of the body are derived from the navigator signals during the acquisition of the imaging signals. The translation and/or rotation and/or shear data are used for adapting the imaging sequence and/or for motion correction during reconstruction of an MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Gabriele Marianne Beck, Tim Nielsen, Arjan Willem Simonetti, Gwenael Henri Herigault, Mathijs Visser
  • Patent number: 10429474
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) tomography apparatus has an array composed of a number n of single coils Ei to acquire reception signals Ii. The tomography apparatus is operated by a method that includes the following steps. For each single coil Ei, a processor determines, or is provided with, an individual reception sensitivity profile in positional space r B1i?(r). An examination subject introduced into the MR tomography apparatus is scanned to acquire reception signals Ii(k) in the frequency domain with the n reception coils Ei. Fourier-transformed signals IFi(r) are determined from the reception signals Ii(k). Complexly corrected signals ?Fi(r) are determined on the basis of the signals IFi(r) and the individual reception sensitivity profiles B1i?(r). A sum signal MR(r) is determined by complex addition of the corrected signals ?Fi(r). Image data of the examination subject are reconstructed on the basis of the sum signal MR(r).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Fautz
  • Patent number: 10429473
    Abstract: A method, magnetic resonance imaging computing device, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for producing a slice-selective adiabatic magnetization T2 preparation pulse for magnetic resonance imaging. A pulse control signal including an adiabatic half passage pulse control signal, an adiabatic full passage pulse control signal, and a reverse adiabatic half passage pulse control signal is generated. A plurality of slice-selective linear phase subpulse control signals are generated. The pulse control signal is sampled using the plurality of slice-selective linear phase subpulse control signals to generate a slice-selective adiabatic magnetization T2 preparation control signal. The slice-selective adiabatic magnetization T2 preparation control signal is output to a waveform generator to produce the slice-selective adiabatic magnetization T2 preparation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
    Inventors: Hadrien Dyvorne, Priti Balchandani
  • Patent number: 10420485
    Abstract: Images where the vascular walls are automatically divided are obtained by obtaining two MRI images that reflect different properties of the blood vessel and obtaining the difference between the two images. This can image both the vascular inner and the outer walls, thereby obtaining the exact size of the blood vessel, and the thickness between the vascular inner and outer walls. Therefore, it is possible to stably perform the operation using a stent with an accurate size during the stent procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignees: GACHON UNIVERSITY OF INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, GIL MEDICAL CENTER
    Inventors: Jun Young Chung, Eung Yeop Kim
  • Patent number: 10408904
    Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (500), the system includes at least one controller (510) which performs a modified rotated slab excitation (mROSE) sequence for volume selection to exclude portions of a subject under exam which are within the scanning volume and outside of a field-of-view (FOV) so as to reduce foldover artifacts which originate from the excluded portions of the subject under exam, where the mROSE sequence performs volume excitation based upon either optimized symmetrical, minimum-phase, or stretched minimum-phase radio-frequency (RF) pulses in a sagittal plane and encodes the scanning volume in a coronal plane. The controller also performs a chemical-shift sequence including a modified DIXON (mDIXON) sequence for substantially uniform fat/water separation within a FOV which lies within the scanning volume; and/or acquires echo information for reconstructing at least a part of an image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V., Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Ivan Pedrosa, Ananth Madhuranthakam, Ivan Dimitrov
  • Patent number: 10402726
    Abstract: A method includes receiving an input data set, each entry including multiple features. The method includes receiving a user input identifying a target feature of the multiple features and a target value of the target feature. The method includes determining, one or more correlated features of the multiple features. The method includes providing the input data set to multiple neural networks (including multiple VAEs) to train the multiple neural networks. The method includes generating a simulated data set based on the input data set, each entry including at least the target feature and the one or more correlated features. Values of the one or more correlated features are randomized or pseudorandomized and the target feature is fixed at the target value. The method includes providing the simulated data set to the multiple neural networks to generate output data and displaying a GUI based on the output data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SparkCognition, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith D. Moore, Marissa Wiseman, Daniel P. Meador, James R. Eskew
  • Patent number: 10401463
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of an area (144) of a subject of interest (120) includes issuing a breath-hold command to the subject of interest (120), performing motion detection of the subject of interest (120) to detect a breath-hold condition in the area (144) of the subject of interest (120), upon detection of the breath-hold condition in the area (144) of the subject of interest (120), performing k-space (154) sampling of the area (144) of the subject of interest (120) with a given resolution, processing the k-space (154) samples covering the area (144) of the subject of interest (120) to obtain a MR image of the area (144) of the subject of interest (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Johan Samuel Van Den Brink, Gabriele Marianne Beck